Chiller hookup question...

Nuuze · 08/28/2006, 12:35 PM

Hi All,

Just got a JBJ Arctica 1/10 chiller and was wondering how everyone controlls/connects them. I currently have both the chiller and maxijet pump connected to the DC8 controlled by my Aquacontroller Jr. to turn on @ 79.9 and turn off @ 78. Is this correct or does everyone keep their chillers plugged in at all times to cool the unit and just control the pump?

Nuuze

nathenvan · 08/28/2006, 03:16 PM

you are right keep it that way

theatrus · 08/28/2006, 03:39 PM

I run my 1/5HP independently from the AC Jr at this point, but the JBJ thermostat is actually kinda slow. But I won't have enough juice to run it from one DC8 with my halides on it too

.

The chiller is plumbed into the return line. Saves a pump, and the PanWorld 40PX doesn't mind the littler extra headloss it gives (fantastic pump!)

SDguy · 08/28/2006, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by theatrus
I run my 1/5HP independently from the AC Jr at this point, but the JBJ thermostat is actually kinda slow. But I won't have enough juice to run it from one DC8 with my halides on it too .

The chiller is plumbed into the return line. Saves a pump, and the PanWorld 40PX doesn't mind the littler extra headloss it gives (fantastic pump!)

Ditto. My 1/4HP JBJ is not on my DC8. I see no reason for it, unless there is fear the ciller will stick "on" (I have never heard of this happening). I only get about 1.5F fluctuation using the JBJ internal thermostat.

hth

goda · 08/28/2006, 04:28 PM

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WRONG WRONG WRONG

jbj has a built in controller and turning it ona ng off by the power shortens the computers life that is on the chiller

it knows what its doing
i get 2 degree flux using hte jbj and its ment to dothat to chill longer rather then more often ( set at 78 the chiller turns on at 79 and off at 77)

Nuuze · 08/28/2006, 04:58 PM

So I should plug the chiller to AC outlet directly and let the DC8 control the maxijet? Or leave both plugged into AC using the JBJ temp control?

SDguy · 08/28/2006, 07:08 PM

Yes and no. You should always have water running through the chiller. AND you should let the chiller's thermostat control itself. The only reason you would need it plugged through the Neptune Jr. is if you feared the chiller could stick on, then you would input a command into the Jr. for that particular outlet to turn off if the temp went below a certain point.

Nuuze · 08/29/2006, 12:47 AM

Okay so thats what I did. The chiller and maxijet is always on using the chillers temp control and using the Aqua Controller only as a fail safe if the tank falls below 78 degrees than the controller will shut down both pump and chiller. Thanks for your help!

david8956 · 08/29/2006, 05:12 AM

Since no one else brought this up I will......I don't see anyway a MaxiJet is a large enough pump for your chiller. The largest MJ (1200) is only rated at 295 gph with 0 head loss. This chiller needs a min. of 240 gph. Add some tubing, some elbows (there are 2 just for the chiller), the coil inside the chiller, and some vertical lift...I don't see 240 gph being possible.

Nuuze · 08/29/2006, 12:27 PM

Which pump should I use? I am currently using 1/2 inch tubing. Would it be possible to put it inline with my RIO 2500 return pump?

DunnoMuch · 08/29/2006, 12:45 PM

The problem with not using the AquaController to control your chiller is that you can not utilize the Seasonal Temperature variation feature found on the AquaController. This feature adjusts tank temp to the time of year based on the longitude and latitude you input (i.e. Marshall Islands is 78.5 in January but, 80.5 in August, etc.)

There must be a lot of people out there use this feature with a chiller. Can anyone share there experience?

Slickdonkey · 09/13/2006, 03:38 PM

I'm not using the seasonal temperature variation in the Aquacontroller because if it loses power, your temperature settings are reset to the defaults (i.e. 75 in January).

If you use a custom temperature table this could be a problem. In your case you set your tank temperature to 78.5 in January, but if the power goes out and comes back on it will reset to 75. I believe Neptune is planning to fix this.

Another question: several people above recommend leaving the pump on so water is always flowing through the chiller. What does this accomplish? I just turn my pump on using my Aquacontroller whenever the chiller comes on.

Also related: I do believe you're not supposed to run the chiller without a pump -- it could freeze up.

AD91158 · 09/13/2006, 05:33 PM

Isnt the temperatture change resulting from the chiller stressfull for the fish?. If the chiller is set for 79 degrees, turns on at 80 and off at 78, that is a 2 degree fluctuation over a very short period of time. I would imagine this would have some affect on livestock. The reason I ask is that I have a jbj 1/5 hp arctica chiller on a reefkeeper 2 controller. I read that having the controller turn the chiller on and off would result in shortening the chillers life, and therefor let the chillers thermostat take over, but im worried the quick temp fluctuations will stres my reef out.

Nuuze · 09/13/2006, 08:51 PM

I currently have my chiller at 80 so it kicks on at 81 and turns off at 79 with it plugged into the controller as a secondary fail safe to power off at 77.5. The chiller is ran in-line with the return pump to the tank. Seems to be working well.

Slickdonkey · 09/13/2006, 09:20 PM

I'm not sure. It makes sense that you don't want the chiller cycling on and off. However mine doesn't have a thermostat so I don't have a choice!

Nuuze · 09/13/2006, 09:23 PM

I meant it only turns completely off if temps fall below 77.5. Besides that the internal thermostat controls...

08/28/2006, 12:35 PM	#1
Nuuze Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NorCal, California Posts: 3,550	Chiller hookup question... Hi All, Just got a JBJ Arctica 1/10 chiller and was wondering how everyone controlls/connects them. I currently have both the chiller and maxijet pump connected to the DC8 controlled by my Aquacontroller Jr. to turn on @ 79.9 and turn off @ 78. Is this correct or does everyone keep their chillers plugged in at all times to cool the unit and just control the pump? Nuuze

08/28/2006, 03:16 PM	#2
nathenvan Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Abingdon Posts: 454	you are right keep it that way __________________ Nate!!!! Current Tank Info: Nuvo 10 SPS

08/28/2006, 03:39 PM	#3
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	I run my 1/5HP independently from the AC Jr at this point, but the JBJ thermostat is actually kinda slow. But I won't have enough juice to run it from one DC8 with my halides on it too . The chiller is plumbed into the return line. Saves a pump, and the PanWorld 40PX doesn't mind the littler extra headloss it gives (fantastic pump!) __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics

08/28/2006, 04:58 PM	#6
Nuuze Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NorCal, California Posts: 3,550	So I should plug the chiller to AC outlet directly and let the DC8 control the maxijet? Or leave both plugged into AC using the JBJ temp control? Last edited by Nuuze; 08/28/2006 at 05:50 PM.

08/28/2006, 07:08 PM	#7
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	Yes and no. You should always have water running through the chiller. AND you should let the chiller's thermostat control itself. The only reason you would need it plugged through the Neptune Jr. is if you feared the chiller could stick on, then you would input a command into the Jr. for that particular outlet to turn off if the temp went below a certain point. __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

08/28/2006, 04:28 PM	#5
goda Moved On Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: fortlauderdale florida area Posts: 1,874	NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WRONG WRONG WRONG jbj has a built in controller and turning it ona ng off by the power shortens the computers life that is on the chiller it knows what its doing i get 2 degree flux using hte jbj and its ment to dothat to chill longer rather then more often ( set at 78 the chiller turns on at 79 and off at 77)

08/29/2006, 12:47 AM	#8
Nuuze Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NorCal, California Posts: 3,550	Okay so thats what I did. The chiller and maxijet is always on using the chillers temp control and using the Aqua Controller only as a fail safe if the tank falls below 78 degrees than the controller will shut down both pump and chiller. Thanks for your help!

08/29/2006, 05:12 AM	#9
david8956 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Citrus Park, FL Posts: 1,133	Since no one else brought this up I will......I don't see anyway a MaxiJet is a large enough pump for your chiller. The largest MJ (1200) is only rated at 295 gph with 0 head loss. This chiller needs a min. of 240 gph. Add some tubing, some elbows (there are 2 just for the chiller), the coil inside the chiller, and some vertical lift...I don't see 240 gph being possible. __________________ David Current Tank Info: 72 G Bowfront reef with custom Maple stand & canopy. 20 G sump, Eheim 1262 return pump, 2 MJ Stream mods. 2 - 250 watt SE 14K AquaConnects & 2 X 110 watt VHO. EuroReef ES 6-1 skimmer. 1/10hp Arctica chiller.

08/29/2006, 12:27 PM	#10
Nuuze Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NorCal, California Posts: 3,550	Which pump should I use? I am currently using 1/2 inch tubing. Would it be possible to put it inline with my RIO 2500 return pump?

08/29/2006, 12:45 PM	#11
DunnoMuch Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 51	The problem with not using the AquaController to control your chiller is that you can not utilize the Seasonal Temperature variation feature found on the AquaController. This feature adjusts tank temp to the time of year based on the longitude and latitude you input (i.e. Marshall Islands is 78.5 in January but, 80.5 in August, etc.) There must be a lot of people out there use this feature with a chiller. Can anyone share there experience? __________________ See my tank: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2657168 Current Tank Info: Red Sea Max 250

09/13/2006, 03:38 PM	#12
Slickdonkey Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 375	I'm not using the seasonal temperature variation in the Aquacontroller because if it loses power, your temperature settings are reset to the defaults (i.e. 75 in January). If you use a custom temperature table this could be a problem. In your case you set your tank temperature to 78.5 in January, but if the power goes out and comes back on it will reset to 75. I believe Neptune is planning to fix this. Another question: several people above recommend leaving the pump on so water is always flowing through the chiller. What does this accomplish? I just turn my pump on using my Aquacontroller whenever the chiller comes on. Also related: I do believe you're not supposed to run the chiller without a pump -- it could freeze up.

09/13/2006, 05:33 PM	#13
AD91158 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Connecticut Posts: 122	Isnt the temperatture change resulting from the chiller stressfull for the fish?. If the chiller is set for 79 degrees, turns on at 80 and off at 78, that is a 2 degree fluctuation over a very short period of time. I would imagine this would have some affect on livestock. The reason I ask is that I have a jbj 1/5 hp arctica chiller on a reefkeeper 2 controller. I read that having the controller turn the chiller on and off would result in shortening the chillers life, and therefor let the chillers thermostat take over, but im worried the quick temp fluctuations will stres my reef out.

09/13/2006, 08:51 PM	#14
Nuuze Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NorCal, California Posts: 3,550	I currently have my chiller at 80 so it kicks on at 81 and turns off at 79 with it plugged into the controller as a secondary fail safe to power off at 77.5. The chiller is ran in-line with the return pump to the tank. Seems to be working well.

09/13/2006, 09:20 PM	#15
Slickdonkey Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 375	I'm not sure. It makes sense that you don't want the chiller cycling on and off. However mine doesn't have a thermostat so I don't have a choice!

09/13/2006, 09:23 PM	#16
Nuuze Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NorCal, California Posts: 3,550	I meant it only turns completely off if temps fall below 77.5. Besides that the internal thermostat controls...